Sports betting

Kobe Bryant returned to the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup last night in a 99-98 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

There will be little time to rest however, as the Lakers travel to Dallas to play the Mavericks tonight, listed as 1-point road ‘dogs with the Total at 194.5.

L.A. hasn’t done too badly when playing the second of back to back games, with records of 7-2 straight up and 6-3 against the spread in its last nine in that situation.

Also, the Lake Show is 8-1 SU in its last nine overall vs. the Mavs.

Kobe netted 32 points, 7 boards, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks against Memphis and the Lakers failed to cover as 5.5-point road faves.

RB LaDainian Tomlinson was released by the San Diego Chargers on Monday after nine years of service.

Once one of the best running backs in the league, Tomlinson was getting on in age and was beginning to slow — he knew the move was coming.

“Now that it’s official I can kind of look to the next step in my career and playing football for someone else,” LT told SI.com.

As it stands, the Chargers are +800 to win the Super Bowl next season and +500 to take the AFC.

Although his ankle is still not 100 percent, Kobe Bryant will be in the L.A. Lakers’ lineup tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kobe had missed five games with ankle and tendon injuries in his left leg and the Lakers went 4-1 straight up and 3-2 against the spread.

The Lakers are listed as 5.5-point road faves against Memphis and the Total is set at 198.5.

The Purple and Gold have struggled in their last 10 games in Memphis, going 3-7 ATS and in their last 10 games overall, have taken eight Unders.

After an upset loss to the U.S. on Sunday, Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team must qualify for the quarterfinals vs. Germany tonight.

Canada will change things up in net with Roberto Luongo setting up shop and Martin Brodeur taking a spot on the bench.

The Canadians are still favored by 4.5-goals and the Total is set at 6.5.

It doesn’t get any easier for the winnner of this game as it goes on to face Russia.

The Milwaukee Bucks are at MSG tonight to play the New York Knicks and are listed as underdogs of 1.5-points with the Total at 206.5.

The Bucks are 5-3 straight up in their last eight in the Big Apple but are an even better 6-2 against the spread.

In Milwaukee’s last eight road games, it is 7-1 ATS and in its last 11 when underdogs of 2-points or less, the Over has cashed nine times.

With records of 33-21 and 34-18-3 against the spread respectively, the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz are amongst the NBA’s best at covering the line.

The two meet in Utah tonight with the Jazz favored by 6-points and the Total at 198.

Atlanta has been a disaster in its last 10 in Utah, going 0-10 straight up and 3-7 ATS with eight Unders to boot.

The Jazz are also playing their second game in two nights and in their last 10 in that situation, they are 7-2-1 ATS.

While the Canadians were -270 faves in Olympic Hockey moneyline betting, it was the United States that prevailed in a 5-3 win.

The win gives the U.S. a bye to the Quarterfinals while Canada must play Germany in Qualification action.

For Olympic betting, go to the More Sports section.

The puck drops on the Canada vs. USA Olympic hockey match at 7:00 PM ET today. The betting action has been steady all day as the biggest hockey game so far of the Olympic tournament gets closer. Neither team has been overly happy with their performance so far, but this will be the first true test for both and give each side a good indicator of where they fit.

Canada is the favorite and are currently set at -270 to win the game on the moneyline. There are also two other big Olympic hockey matchups today, with Russia vs. Czech Republic and Sweden vs. Finland.

You can check all the Olympic hockey odds

While the Milwaukee Bucks are only 24-28 straight up this season, they are an impressive 31-21 against the spread.

Milwaukee is in the Motor City to play the Detroit Pistons tonight favored by a single point with the Total set at 188.5.

The Bucks’ last 10 games in Detroit have been a struggle, as they are 2-8 SU and 3-6-1 against the spread.

In the last 14 games where Milwaukee is favored by 2-points or less, it is 4-10 SU and ATS.

Detroit is 14-6 SU and ATS in its last 20 when favored by 2-points or less. 

The Toronto Raptors will be without star forward Chris Bosh for their game against the New Jersey Nets tonight.

Bosh suffered, what The Toronto Star calls, “a mildly sprained right ankle” in a 109-102 OT loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night — the Raptors failed to cover as 7-point faves.

The Canadian Press reports that Bosh is listed as day-to-day.

The game is currently off the board but the Raptors’ last 20 visits to New Jersey have resulted in 15 Unders.